The legend of Patryk Drozdowski had a humble start in Zywiec area. Third son of a mid class family, at the year of 5 he rode for the very first time a bike and enjoyed the downhills of the area. Soon, some local cycling scouts noticed his talent, but they thought he didn't have what it takes when GC knocks the door, ''He is only a good downhiller,'' said his first manager and put him aside. Naturally, Patryk never gave up and kept training hard when Ludolfina Lublin scouts discovered him, they told their manager that a fine diamond was in front of them.
Without doubting, Patryk signed his first professional contract with 21 years old and and his new manager made him the star of the team. Suddenly, Lublin realized they weren't able to train him to the max and decided to sell him, Team Stredet hired the polish promise back in season 32, with a good perfomance (4 results) and better skills t...
Read moreThe legend of Patryk Drozdowski had a humble start in Zywiec area. Third son of a mid class family, at the year of 5 he rode for the very first time a bike and enjoyed the downhills of the area. Soon, some local cycling scouts noticed his talent, but they thought he didn't have what it takes when GC knocks the door, ''He is only a good downhiller,'' said his first manager and put him aside. Naturally, Patryk never gave up and kept training hard when Ludolfina Lublin scouts discovered him, they told their manager that a fine diamond was in front of them.
Without doubting, Patryk signed his first professional contract with 21 years old and and his new manager made him the star of the team. Suddenly, Lublin realized they weren't able to train him to the max and decided to sell him, Team Stredet hired the polish promise back in season 32, with a good perfomance (4 results) and better skills to go once for all. Season 33 introduced the beast, 15 results, and 6° in Porto, 5° in Los Castillos and against majority, he conquered Germany Tour GC and YC, and two stages. Doing great in three big tours and at the end of the season, 'Droz' raised his hands after winning the rainbow jersey in the World Championships.
The star of the moment, Farruco Alonso, quickly was set into a rivalry against 'Droz' and again Patryk conquered Germany Tour, but then Alonso got his chance to beat him. It was a thrilling and dramatic face to face, both alone in the biggest climbs of Germany, Patryk with serenity in his face, and Farruco, right behind the polish to attack. Between them, 10 Germany Tours, they were the kings of the yellow jersey, of course, at the end, 'Droz' showed he was the strongest rider of OCM. Right after conquering his second Germany Tour he got transfered to Indurain Team, the team that will make his name legendary...
Not only Patryk was the best GC rider ever, he also was a safe bet on classics and one day hill stages, prove of it was his 3 wins in Criterium La Provence, and dominating also WT races such as Barcelona-Quanca. At Season 36 he won his thrid Germany Tour, and was in the Olympic of OCM, but that wasn't enough for him and after missing his target for few seconds, he won his 4th Germany yellow jersey to be the most successful rider in the biggest tour of cycling.
The only doubt was how many tours 'Droz' could win, and from Season 39 to Season 42 no one tickled the polish monster, reaching the insane number of 8 Germany Tour GC. With 33 years old he tried once again to win a nine Germany Tour but Steven Gillies, from Team Chili and Sal Dambrosio from Nefal avoid it. He knew the retirement was close at Season 44, only result during season was his 9th in GT and after a Season 45 far away of his expectations and perfomance, he decided to said good bye to OCM. Like what happened to Gale Reason, a lot of awards and social events took his full attention, remembering his successful career and incredible palmares, 8 Germany Tours, 3 Criteriums La Provence, 5 Barcelona-Quanca (WT), 1 World Championships, to resume some of the wins in the 14 seasons 'Droz' rode and pleased OCM fans. 85 results, 40 of them in the first place, an almost 50% of posibility to win, he was unique.
To remember his legacy and in honor of his career, OCM created the Patryk Drozdowski Trophy Cup back in Season 48, a especial three day event with an all round stages, from time trial, passing to mountain and downhill; and every edition has the honor to have 'Droz' in the starting line, making the fire shot. Actually Patryk works training the new talents and giving advice in his former team Indurain team, and from time to time he goes out for a ride to the sunset with a smile, and wearing one of his yellow jerseys...
Poland